2025 NBA Draft: BetMGM Betting Trends for Top 10 Picks, 1-10

The 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating betting markets in recent memory, and BetMGM’s odds and action provide a window into how both sharps and public bettors are viewing this year’s top talent. From overwhelming favorites like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper to big liabilities like Jase Richardson and Jeremiah Fears, the top-10 pick market is filled with intriguing trends.

Here’s a breakdown of the favorites, ticket percentages, handle leaders, and biggest liabilities for each of the first 10 picks in Thursday’s NBA Draft.

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NBA Draft Info & Where to Watch

• Location: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
• Where to Watch: ABC, ESPN
• Where to Stream: Fubo, ABC.com, ESPN App
• Follow: SportsGrid App (Google Play Store or Apple Store)
• Date: June 25, 2025
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

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1st Pick: Cooper Flagg, but Watch the Dylan Harper Buzz

• Favorite: Cooper Flagg (-10000)
• Highest Ticket %: Dylan Harper (43.0%)
• Highest Handle %: Cooper Flagg (96.4%)
• Biggest Liability: Dylan Harper

Cooper Flagg is the slam-dunk favorite for Dallas at No. 1, but Harper’s surprising lead in ticket count signals public bettors aren’t afraid of longshots. Flagg remains a betting anchor, but Harper is the book’s biggest risk if chaos unfolds.

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2nd Pick: Dylan Harper Locked, But Handle Favors Ace Bailey

• Favorite: Dylan Harper (-10000)
• Highest Ticket %: Cooper Flagg (46.8%)
• Highest Handle %: Ace Bailey (46.3%)
• Biggest Liability: Cooper Flagg

While Dylan Harper is the odds-on choice for the San Antonio Spurs at No. 2, Flagg leads in tickets, and Bailey quietly leads in handle. Bettors are bracing for a draft-day surprise — and the Spurs could throw a curveball.

3rd Pick: Edgecombe the Favorite, But Flagg Is a Liability

• Favorite: VJ Edgecombe (-350)
• Highest Ticket %: Ace Bailey (29.8%)
• Highest Handle %: VJ Edgecombe (41.4%)
• Biggest Liability: Cooper Flagg

VJ Edgecombe’s two-way potential makes him the betting favorite for the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3, but Ace Bailey’s name keeps surfacing in ticket volume. Flagg showing up as a liability again is odd — a reflection of early action.

4th Pick: All Eyes on Kon Knueppel

• Favorite: Kon Knueppel (-190)
• Highest Ticket %: Kon Knueppel (36.8%)
• Highest Handle %: Kon Knueppel (51.5%)
• Biggest Liability: Kon Knueppel

The Charlotte Hornets could go with a shooter, and bettors are all-in on Kon Knueppel. With both the most tickets and money, he’s a heavy favorite — and a potential sweat for BetMGM if he goes fourth.

5th Pick: Fears & Bailey Share the Spotlight

• Favorite: Jeremiah Fears (+150)
• Highest Ticket %: Fears & Bailey (22.1%)
• Highest Handle %: Jeremiah Fears (54.7%)
• Biggest Liability: Jeremiah Fears

No pick has a more pronounced betting swing than the way No. 5 Jeremiah Fears has drawn the most money by far and shares top ticket volume. He’s the favorite and the book’s biggest worry.

6th Pick: Ace Bailey Could Slide or Shine

• Favorite: Ace Bailey (+120)
• Highest Ticket %: Ace Bailey (44.7%)
• Highest Handle %: Ace Bailey (52.1%)
• Biggest Liability: Ace Bailey

The Washington Wizards could land a gem at No. 6, and bettors believe it’ll be Bailey. He’s dominated both tickets and handle and could make the Wizards look very smart — or give BetMGM a headache.

7th Pick: Fears Rising Again

• Favorite: Khaman Maluach (+200)
• Highest Ticket %: Jeremiah Fears (21.4%)
• Highest Handle %: Jeremiah Fears (38.2%)
• Biggest Liability: Jeremiah Fears

Fears continues to show up on the betting radar. Even though Maluach is the favorite, Fears’ name dominates ticket and money flow — his draft stock might be underrated by oddsmakers.

8th Pick: Wide Open Market with Unexpected Favorites

• Favorites: Tre Johnson & Jeremiah Fears (+425)

• Highest Ticket %: Khaman Maluach (21.6%)

• Highest Handle %: Noa Essengue (34.5%)

• Biggest Liability: Tre Johnson

With no clear favorite, this slot is chaos. Noa Essengue leads in handle, Khaman Maluach in tickets, and Tre Johnson poses the biggest threat to the sportsbook.

9th Pick: Bettors Backing Essengue Over the Favorite

• Favorite: Khaman Maluach (+240)

• Highest Ticket %: Khaman Maluach (18.9%)

• Highest Handle %: Noa Essengue (52.3%)

• Biggest Liability: Noa Essengue

Bettors are fading the favorite again. Maluach leads in tickets, but Essengue’s heavy handle suggests insiders expect a rise. BetMGM’s liability is real here.

10th Pick: Queen Favorite, Richardson Public Darling

• Favorite: Derik Queen (+350)

• Highest Ticket %: Jase Richardson (25.5%)

• Highest Handle %: Derik Queen (35.4%)

• Biggest Liability: Jase Richardson

Derik Queen is the frontrunner, but Jase Richardson leads all tickets and stands as the biggest liability — if a team falls in love with his skillset, sportsbooks could be in trouble.

Odds subject to change. Get your latest odds here.

*All BetMGM Data is based on straight bets